Rising

Matthew 28


After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God's angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn't move.


The angel spoke to the women: 


"There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed. Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.' That's the message."


The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. "Good morning!" he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, "You're holding on to me for dear life! Don't be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I'll meet them there."


Meanwhile, the guards had scattered, but a few of them went into the city and told the high priests everything that had happened. They called a meeting of the religious leaders and came up with a plan: They took a large sum of money and gave it to the soldiers, bribing them to say, "His disciples came in the night and stole the body while we were sleeping." They assured them, "If the governor hears about your sleeping on duty, we will make sure you don't get blamed." The soldiers took the bribe and did as they were told. That story, cooked up in the Jewish High Council, is still going around.


Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.


Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: 

"God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."

* * *

Jesus rose. And in that rising some important things happened:

1) God's angel came down

2) He appeared to the women first

3) The women were full of joy

4) The guards were scared to death

5) The angel ignored the guards and spoke to the women

6) The guards scattered

7) The women did as the angel instructed
8) Jesus met the women first

9) He greeted the women and gave them a specific mission

10) They left to do it immediately

11) He reunited with the disciples

12) Some disciples worshipped Him

13) Some disciples were unsure of the risk

14) He paid no mind to their indecision

15) He gave another specific mission and told them to go

16) He promised to be with them every single day

Has Christ appeared to you?

What is your reaction? 

Are you full of joy or struck with fear?

Has Christ spoken to you?

How do you respond? 

Do you go immediately or scatter?

Are you a women? 

What have you been called to do? 

Did you recognize Jesus along the way?

Are you a disciple? 

Have you met with Him?

Do you worship Him totally or are you unsure of the risk?

Has He given you a mission?

Do you go in His name?

Do you experience His presence daily as you do it?

This Resurrection Sunday, take a moment to reflect on what He has called you to do and how you've responded. As you realize the mission He's placed before you, worship Him completely, without regard to the risk. Then waste no time getting there. Just go.

Happy Easter. He is risen; He is risen indeed.